All the developmental projects of Osun State government would directly impact on the local economy through a local content development initiative designed to boost the socio-economic activities of residents.

This was disclosed by the state deputy governor, Otunba Grace Laoye-Tomori at a reception organised in honour of Osogbo indigenes in the present administration in the state held at Omidiran Garden in the state capital.

According to her, the Governor has come up with projects that will banish poverty from Osun state by empowering people at the grassroots. The construction of the state of the art schools in Osun state will be done by Association of block makers, carpenters, bricklayers in the state.

She described the governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola as a God-fearing man committed to rebuilding the state capital to match with those in developed nations of the world.

The deputy governor, while addressing the gathering made of Osogbo indigenes urged them to key-in into the various innovative economic and developmental programmes of the present administration.

She stressed that part of the government effort to turn the state capital around is the O-clean programme, which is meant to keep the capital city and other towns clean and attract tourists who would soon be trooping into the state.

“The O-Clean programme will not only make Osogbo a clean State capital but will also prepare the city for urbanisation projects that will soon kick off in Osogbo. This entails expansion of the existing major roads, provision of interlocked sidewalks, beautification of the medians, and erection of modern markets with toilet facilities”, the deputy governor added.

She also urged residents to support the programme by keeping a clean environment regularly and discharging their waste products appropriately.

She states: “On our part as Osogbo indigenes in the state capital, our surroundings should be impeccably clean at all times. We should dispose our garbage appropriately and paint the front side of houses facing the road. It is gratifying to note that tourists from all over the world will soon besiege Osogbo for various cultural carnivals”.

Speaking on employment scheme in the state, she stated that those that have not benefitted from the OYES scheme should be rest assured, as the state would roll out another scheme for all to benefit from.

According to her, our children who could not enrol in O-Yes scheme should enrol for skill acquisition programmes and become professionals. This will make them benefit tremendously from the programmes of this administration.

She also commende Aregbesola for giving osun groove a face lift, saying it has help the tourism potential of the site and endear the site more to resident of the state.

She states further: Osun Osogbo festival was highly enhanced and well packaged for tourists this year. For the first time, the road leading to the groove was tarred and the sidewalks were attractively decorated, the Osun River was cleared and cleaned up before the festival. These unprecedented actions were taken to enhance the festival and attract tourists. This beautification and enhancement of the groove will continue”.